U.S. patent number 7,770,745 [Application Number 11/455,580] was granted by the patent office on 2010-08-10 for wide mouth jar with integral scraper.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Amcor Limited. Invention is credited to Michael E Penny, Dan Weissmann.
United States Patent |
7,770,745 |
Weissmann , et al. |
August 10, 2010 |
Wide mouth jar with integral scraper
Abstract
A one-piece plastic container includes a body defining a
longitudinal axis. The body includes an upper portion, a sidewall
portion and a base portion. The upper portion defines an opening
into the container. The sidewall portion may be integrally formed
with and extend from the upper portion to the base portion. The
base portion closes off an end of the container. The opening
defines a radial sidewall and a generally linear sidewall. The
generally linear sidewall may be defined by an inset portion formed
on the upper portion.
Inventors: |
Weissmann; Dan (Simsbury,
CT), Penny; Michael E (Saline, MI) |
Assignee: |
Amcor Limited (Abbotsford,
AU)
|
Family
ID: |
38860534 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/455,580 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20070289933 A1 |
Dec 20, 2007 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/42; 220/698;
215/390; 215/44; 215/392 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
23/00 (20130101); B65D 1/10 (20130101); B65D
1/40 (20130101); B29B 2911/14106 (20130101); B29B
2911/14166 (20130101); B29B 2911/1414 (20130101); B29B
2911/1402 (20130101); B29B 11/10 (20130101); B29K
2067/00 (20130101); B29B 11/14 (20130101); B29B
2911/1404 (20130101); B29B 2911/14066 (20130101); B29B
2911/14333 (20130101); B29B 2911/14093 (20130101); B29K
2023/12 (20130101); B29B 2911/14033 (20130101); B29B
11/08 (20130101); B29B 2911/14026 (20130101); B29B
2911/14413 (20130101); B29B 2911/14133 (20130101); B29C
49/06 (20130101); B29K 2023/065 (20130101); B29B
2911/14053 (20130101); B29B 2911/1442 (20130101); B29C
49/12 (20130101); B29C 49/04 (20130101); B29B
2911/1446 (20130101); B29B 2911/1408 (20130101); B29B
2911/14113 (20130101); B29B 2911/1416 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
1/46 (20060101); B65D 1/10 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;215/40-42,390-392,44,378 ;220/695,699,700,679,657.659,698
;206/349,549,229,804 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Weaver; Sue A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harness, Dickey & Pierce,
P.L.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A one-piece plastic container comprising: a body defining a
longitudinal axis and having an upper portion, a sidewall portion
and a base portion, said upper portion defining an opening into
said container and including a finish, said sidewall portion
integrally formed with and extending from said upper portion to
said base portion, said base portion closing off a first terminal
end of said container, wherein said upper portion includes an upper
lip at a second terminal end of said container, said upper lip
defining said opening, said upper lip including a curved portion
and a completely linear portion, the curved portion and the
completely linear portion being co-planar, the curved portion
following a portion of an imaginary continuous and closed curve,
the completely linear portion lying within said imaginary
continuous and closed curve, the completely linear portion having a
first and second endpoint that each intersect said curved portion,
said finish being entirely disposed between said upper lip and said
sidewall portion along the longitudinal axis.
2. The one-piece plastic container of claim 1 wherein said
completely linear portion is defined by an inset portion formed on
said upper portion of said body.
3. The one-piece plastic container of claim 1, wherein a majority
of said upper lip is defined by said curved portion.
4. The one-piece plastic container of claim 3 wherein at least
three-fourths of said upper lip is defined by said curved
portion.
5. The one-piece plastic container of claim 1 wherein said finish
defines at least one thread thereon.
6. The one-piece plastic container of claim 5 wherein said finish
defines a generally cylindrical sidewall having said at least one
thread thereon.
7. The one-piece plastic container of claim 1 wherein said
completely linear portion is approximately one inch (25.4 mm) in
length.
8. A one-piece plastic container haying a longitudinal axis
comprising: an upper portion including an upper lip at a second
terminal end of the container, the upper lip defining an opening
into the container, the upper portion also including a finish; a
shoulder region integrally formed with and extending from said
upper portion; and a sidewall portion extending from said shoulder
region to a base portion, said base portion closing off a first
terminal end of said container; wherein said upper lip includes a
curved portion and a completely linear portion, the curved portion
and the completely linear portion being co-planar, the curved
portion following a portion of an imaginary continuous and closed
curve, the completely linear portion lying within said imaginary
continuous and closed curve, the completely linear portion having a
first and second endpoint that each intersect said curved portion,
said finish being entirely disposed between said upper lip and said
sidewall portion along the longitudinal axis.
9. The one-piece plastic container of claim 8 wherein said
completely linear portion is defined by an inset portion formed on
said upper portion.
10. The one-piece plastic container of claim 8 wherein a majority
of said upper lip is defined by said curved portion.
11. The one-piece plastic container of claim 8 wherein said upper
portion includes a generally cylindrical sidewall and said finish
includes at least one thread formed on the generally cylindrical
sidewall.
12. The one-piece plastic container of claim 8 wherein said
completely linear portion is approximately one inch (25.4 mm) in
length.
13. The one-piece plastic container of claim 8 wherein said upper
lip includes a plurality of completely linear portions.
14. A one-piece plastic container comprising: a body defining a
longitudinal axis and having an upper portion, a sidewall portion
and a base portion, said upper portion defining an opening into
said container and including a finish, said sidewall portion
integrally formed with and extending from said upper portion to
said base portion, said base portion closing off a first terminal
end of said container, wherein said upper portion includes a
cylindrical portion, an inset portion, and an upper lip at a second
terminal end of said container, said finish formed on said
cylindrical portion, said upper lip defining said opening, said
upper lip including a curved portion and a completely linear
portion, the curved portion and the completely, linear portion
being co-planar, the curved portion following a portion of an
imaginary continuous and closed curve, the completely linear
portion lying within said imaginary continuous and closed curve,
the completely linear portion having a first and second endpoint
that each intersect said curved portion, said finish being entirely
disposed between said upper lip and said sidewall portion along the
longitudinal axis, the completely linear portion defined by the
inset portion.
15. The one-piece plastic container of claim 14 wherein said
completely linear portion is approximately one inch (25.4 mm) in
length.
16. The one-piece plastic container of claim 14 wherein said upper
lip includes a plurality of completely linear portions.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure generally relates to plastic containers for
retaining a commodity, such as a solid or semi-solid commodity.
More specifically, this disclosure relates to a one-piece blown
wide mouth jar having an integral scraper formed thereon.
BACKGROUND
As a result of environmental and other concerns, plastic
containers, more specifically polyester and even more specifically
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers are now being used more
than ever to package numerous commodities previously supplied in
glass containers. Manufacturers and fillers, as well as consumers,
have recognized that PET containers are lightweight, inexpensive,
recyclable and manufacturable in large quantities.
Blow-molded plastic containers have become commonplace in packaging
numerous commodities. PET is a crystallizable polymer, meaning that
it is available in an amorphous form or a semi-crystalline form.
The ability of a PET container to maintain its material integrity
relates to the percentage of the PET container in crystalline form,
also known as the "crystallinity" of the PET container. The
following equation defines the percentage of crystallinity as a
volume fraction:
.times..times..rho..rho..rho..rho..times..times..times.
##EQU00001## where .rho. is the density of the PET material;
.rho..sub.a is the density of pure amorphous PET material (1.333
g/cc); and .rho..sub.c is the density of pure crystalline material
(1.455 g/cc).
Container manufacturers use mechanical processing and thermal
processing to increase the PET polymer crystallinity of a
container. Mechanical processing involves orienting the amorphous
material to achieve strain hardening. This processing commonly
involves stretching an injection molded PET preform along a
longitudinal axis and expanding the PET preform along a transverse
or radial axis to form a PET container. The combination promotes
what manufacturers define as biaxial orientation of the molecular
structure in the container. Manufacturers of PET containers
currently use mechanical processing to produce PET containers
having approximately 20% crystallinity in the container's
sidewall.
Thermal processing involves heating the material (either amorphous
or semi-crystalline) to promote crystal growth. On amorphous
material, thermal processing of PET material results in a
spherulitic morphology that interferes with the transmission of
light. In other words, the resulting crystalline material is
opaque, and thus, generally undesirable. Used after mechanical
processing, however, thermal processing results in higher
crystallinity and excellent clarity for those portions of the
container having biaxial molecular orientation. The thermal
processing of an oriented PET container, which is known as heat
setting, typically includes blow molding a PET preform against a
mold heated to a temperature of approximately 250.degree.
F.-350.degree. F. (approximately 121.degree. C.-177.degree. C.),
and holding the blown container against the heated mold for
approximately two (2) to five (5) seconds. Manufacturers of PET
juice bottles, which must be hot-filled at approximately
185.degree. F. (85.degree. C.), currently use heat setting to
produce PET bottles having an overall crystallinity in the range of
approximately 25%-35%.
Typically, an upper portion of the plastic container defines an
opening. This upper portion is commonly referred to as a finish and
includes some means for engaging a cap or closure to close off the
opening. In the traditional injection-stretch blow molding process,
the finish remains substantially in its injection molded state
while the container body is formed below the finish. The finish may
include at least one thread extending radially outwardly around an
annular sidewall defining a thread profile. In one application a
closure member or cap may define a complementary thread, or
threads, that are adapted to cooperatively mate with the threads of
the finish.
In addition, an alternative method may be used to form the finish
portion of the container. This alternative method is known as a
blown finish. During this alternative process, the finish portion
of the container is created in the blow mold utilizing a process
similar to the blow molding process described above. This
alternative process enables production of a lighter-weight finish
portion, and thus container, than is possible through the
traditional injection molding production method. Additionally, when
produced utilizing a heat setting process, a blown finish may
provide superior heat resistance characteristics as compared to
traditional injection molded amorphous finishes.
In some examples, PET containers may be used to enclose spreadable
commodities such as peanut butter, mayonnaise and others.
Typically, such commodities are handled or removed from their
containers with a household knife or other kitchen utensil.
Sometimes, a larger amount of commodity is taken from the container
than is actually needed. In such an instance, it may be desirable
to return the unused portion back into the container.
SUMMARY
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a one-piece plastic
container having a body defining a longitudinal axis. The body
includes an upper portion, a sidewall portion and a base portion.
The upper portion defines an opening into the container. The
sidewall portion may be integrally formed with and extend from the
upper portion to the base portion. The base portion closes off an
end of the container. The opening defines a radial sidewall and a
generally linear sidewall. The generally linear sidewall may be
defined by an inset portion formed on the upper portion.
According to additional features, the radial sidewall and the
linear sidewall are co-planar. According to one example, a majority
of the opening is defined by the radial sidewall. The upper portion
may include a finish defining at least one thread thereon. The
finish may define a sloped portion extending between the
cylindrical sidewall and the linear sidewall of the opening.
Additional benefits and advantages of the present disclosure will
become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present
disclosure relates from the subsequent description and the appended
claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It
will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which the
present disclosure relates that the container of the present
disclosure may be manufactured utilizing alternative blow molding
processes to those disclosed above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a one-piece plastic container
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 2 is an elevational perspective view of an upper portion of
the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an exemplary mold cavity used during
formation of the container of FIG. 1 and shown with a preform
positioned therein.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 1 shown
prior to moil resection; and
FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an upper portion of a container
constructed in accordance with additional features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following description is merely exemplary in nature, and is in
no way intended to limit the disclosure or its application or
uses.
FIGS. 1-5 show one embodiment of the present container. In the
Figures, reference number 10 designates a one-piece plastic, e.g.
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), container. As shown in FIG. 1,
the container 10 has an overall height A of about 162.33 mm (6.39
inch). As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the container 10 is substantially
cylindrical in cross section. In this particular embodiment, the
container 10 has a volume capacity of about 32 fl. oz. (945 cc).
Those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the
following teachings of the present disclosure are applicable to
other containers, such as rectangular, triangular, hexagonal,
octagonal or square shaped containers, which may have different
dimensions and volume capacities. It is also contemplated that
other modifications can be made depending on the specific
application and environmental requirements.
As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the one-piece plastic container 10 according
to the present teachings defines a body 12, and includes an upper
portion 14 having a cylindrical sidewall 18 forming a finish 20.
Integrally formed with the finish 20 and extending downward
therefrom is a shoulder region 22. The shoulder region 22 merges
into and provides a transition between the finish 20 and a sidewall
portion 24. The sidewall portion 24 extends downward from the
shoulder region 22 to a base portion 28 having a base 30. An upper
bumper portion 32 may be defined at a transition between the
shoulder region 22 and the sidewall portion 24. A lower bumper
portion 34 may be defined at a transition between the base portion
28 and the sidewall portion 24.
The exemplary container 10 may also have a neck (not shown). The
neck may have an extremely short height, that is, becoming a short
extension from the finish 20, or an elongated height, extending
between the finish 20 and the shoulder region 22. The plastic
container 10 has been designed to retain a commodity. The commodity
may be in any form such as a solid or semi-solid product. In one
example, a commodity may be introduced into the container during a
thermal process, typically a hot-fill process. For hot-fill
bottling applications, bottlers generally fill the container 10
with a product at an elevated temperature between approximately
155.degree. F. to 205.degree. F. (approximately 68.degree. C. to
96.degree. C.) and seal the container 10 with a closure (not
illustrated) before cooling. In addition, the plastic container 10
may be suitable for other high-temperature pasteurization or retort
filling processes or other thermal processes as well. In another
example, the commodity may be introduced into the container under
ambient temperatures.
The plastic container 10 of the present disclosure is a blow
molded, biaxially oriented container with a unitary construction
from a single or multi-layer material. A well-known
stretch-molding, heat-setting process for making the one-piece
plastic container 10 generally involves the manufacture of a
preform 40 (FIG. 4) of a polyester material, such as polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), having a shape well known to those skilled in
the art similar to a test-tube with a generally cylindrical cross
section. An exemplary method of manufacturing the plastic container
10 will be described in greater detail later.
Returning now to FIGS. 1-3, the upper portion 14 defines an opening
42. The container 10 is a wide mouth container. Accordingly, the
opening 42 is a wide mouth opening, enabling the use of a spoon,
knife or other utensil to remove products from the container 10. A
wide mouth container is generally defined as a container whose
mouth has an outer diameter which is greater than approximately
one-third of the outer diameter of the finished container. The
opening 42 provides access for a user to scoop out or otherwise
obtain the commodity such as on a utensil. In one example, the
opening 42 may define a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis
44 of the container 10. It is contemplated however, that the
opening 42 may define a plane tilted at an angle relative to the
longitudinal axis 44.
The finish 20 of the plastic container 10 may include a threaded
region 46 having threads 48, and a lower sealing ridge 50. The
threaded region 46 provides a means for attachment of a similarly
threaded closure or cap (not illustrated). Alternatives may include
other suitable devices that engage the finish 20 of the plastic
container 10, such as a press-fit or snap-fit cap for example.
Accordingly, the closure or cap (not illustrated) engages the
finish 20 to preferably provide a hermetical seal of the plastic
container 10. The closure or cap (not illustrated) is preferably of
a plastic or metal material conventional to the closure industry
and suitable for subsequent thermal processing, including high
temperature pasteurization and retort.
With specific reference to FIGS. 1-3, a land 52 may be formed
radially at a transition between the finish 20 and the opening 42.
In this way, the opening 42 may be radially stepped inward relative
to the finish 20. The opening 42 of the container 10 generally
defines a radial sidewall 54 having an inset portion 56. A sloped
portion 58 may be formed between the cylindrical sidewall 18 and
the opening 42. The inset portion 56 terminates at a generally
linear sidewall 60 formed at the opening 42. As used herein, the
term linear directed toward the linear sidewall 60 may denote a
substantially linear surface. In this way, the linear sidewall 60
may comprise a completely linear sidewall, a slightly arcuate
sidewall or a collection of slightly arcuate and linear
sidewalls.
In one example, the linear sidewall 60 may be used to scrape excess
or an unused portion of the commodity back into the container 10.
In this way, a utensil, such as a knife (not shown) for example,
may be slidably advanced along the linear sidewall 60 whereby the
excess or an unused portion of the commodity may be transferred
from the utensil back into the container 10 at the linear sidewall
60. The geometry of the opening 42 at the linear sidewall 60 is
particularly advantageous because a substantially linear engagement
surface 62 is defined thereat. The linear engagement surface 62 may
cooperate with a planar portion of a utensil, such as a knife, such
that mutual contact between the linear engagement surface 62 and
the planar portion of the knife may be easily maintained while
slidably advancing the knife along the linear engagement surface
62.
In one example, the linear sidewall 60 may define a length of about
25.40 mm (1 inch). In this way, a typical household knife may be
accommodated across its entire width along the linear sidewall 60.
Other lengths are contemplated. The opening 42 may define a
diameter D.sub.1 of about 63.6 mm (2.5 inch). The opening 42
(assuming a uniform diameter around the opening) may define a
circumference C of about 199.81 mm (7.83 inch). The circumference C
referenced utilizes the dashed line through the inset portion 56.
As a result, it is appreciated that the actual realized
circumference is slightly smaller. Notably, the exemplary
dimensions provide a container 10 having an opening 42 that is
approximately defined by 14% linear sidewall 60 and 86% radial
sidewall 54. Again, these dimensions are exemplary.
With continued reference now to FIGS. 1-3, exemplary dimensions for
the container 10 will be described. It is appreciated that other
dimensions may be used. A diameter D.sub.2 of the finish 20 may be
67.46 mm (2.66 inch). A diameter D.sub.3 of the lower sealing ridge
50 may be 73.91 mm (2.91 inch). The body 12 may define a diameter
D.sub.4 of 96.27 mm (3.79 inch) at a label portion. A diameter
D.sub.5 of the upper and lower bumper portions 32 and 34,
respectively, may be 97.79 mm (3.85 inch). An angle .alpha..sub.1
at which the lower sealing ridge 50 extends from a line
perpendicular to the finish 20 may be about 45 degrees. An angle
.alpha..sub.2 at which the shoulder region 22 extends from a line
perpendicular to the finish 20 may be about 62 degrees. Radii
R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 defined at the transition between the finish 20
and the lower sealing ridge 50 may be 1.52 mm (0.06 inch).
Turning now to FIG. 4, an exemplary method of forming the container
10 will be described. The preform 40 includes a support ring 78,
which may be used to carry or orient the preform 40 through and at
various stages of manufacture. For example, the preform 40 may be
carried by the support ring 78, the support ring 78 may be used to
aid in positioning the preform 40 in a mold cavity 80, or the
support ring 78 may be used to carry an intermediate container 88
once molded. At the outset, the preform 40 may be placed into the
mold cavity 80 such that the support ring 78 is captured at an
upper end of the mold cavity 80. In general, the mold cavity 80 has
an interior surface corresponding to a desired outer profile of the
blown container. More specifically, the mold cavity 80 according to
the present teachings defines a body forming region 82, a moil
forming region 84 and an opening forming region 86. Once the
resultant structure, hereinafter referred to as an intermediate
container 88, has been formed, a moil 90 (FIG. 5) created by the
moil forming region 84 may be severed and discarded. It is
appreciated that the step of severing the moil 90 at the
intersection between the land 52 and the moil 90 defines the
opening 42 (and the respective radial and linear sidewalls 54 and
60) of the container 10.
In one example, a machine (not illustrated) places the preform 40
heated to a temperature between approximately 190.degree. F. to
250.degree. F. (approximately 88.degree. C. to 121.degree. C.) into
the mold cavity 80. The mold cavity 80 may be heated to a
temperature between approximately 250.degree. F. to 350.degree. F.
(approximately 121.degree. C. to 177.degree. C.). A stretch rod
apparatus (not illustrated) stretches or extends the heated preform
40 within the mold cavity 80 to a length approximately that of the
intermediate container 88 thereby molecularly orienting the
polyester material in an axial direction generally corresponding
with the central longitudinal axis 44 of the container 10. While
the stretch rod extends the preform 40, air having a pressure
between 300 PSI to 600 PSI (2.07 MPa to 4.14 MPa) assists in
extending the preform 40 in the axial direction and in expanding
the preform 40 in a circumferential or hoop direction thereby
substantially conforming the polyester material to the shape of the
mold cavity 80 and further molecularly orienting the polyester
material in a direction generally perpendicular to the axial
direction, thus establishing the biaxial molecular orientation of
the polyester material in most of the intermediate container 88.
The pressurized air holds the mostly biaxial molecularly oriented
polyester material against the mold cavity 80 for a period of
approximately two (2) to five (5) seconds before removal of the
intermediate container 88 from the mold cavity 80. This process is
known as heat setting and results in a heat-resistant container
suitable for filling with a product at high temperatures.
In another example, a machine (not illustrated) places the preform
40 heated to a temperature between approximately 185.degree. F. to
239.degree. F. (approximately 85.degree. C. to 115.degree. C.) into
the mold cavity 80. The mold cavity 80 may be chilled to a
temperature between approximately 32.degree. F. to 75.degree. F.
(approximately 0.degree. C. to 24.degree. C.). A stretch rod
apparatus (not illustrated) stretches or extends the heated preform
40 within the mold cavity 80 to a length approximately that of the
intermediate container 88 thereby molecularly orienting the
polyester material in an axial direction generally corresponding
with the central longitudinal axis 44 of the container 10. While
the stretch rod extends the preform 40, air having a pressure
between 300 PSI to 600 PSI (2.07 MPa to 4.14 MPa) assists in
extending the preform 40 in the axial direction and in expanding
the preform 40 in a circumferential or hoop direction thereby
substantially conforming the polyester material to the shape of the
mold cavity 80 and further molecularly orienting the polyester
material in a direction generally perpendicular to the axial
direction, thus establishing the biaxial molecular orientation of
the polyester material in most of the intermediate container 88.
The pressurized air holds the mostly biaxial molecularly oriented
polyester material against the mold cavity 80 for a period of
approximately two (2) to five (5) seconds before removal of the
intermediate container 88 from the mold cavity 80. This process is
utilized to produce containers suitable for filling with product
under ambient conditions or cold temperatures.
Alternatively, other manufacturing methods, such as for example,
extrusion blow molding, one step injection stretch blow molding and
injection blow molding, using other conventional materials
including, for example, high density polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), a PET/PEN blend or copolymer, and
various multilayer structures may be suitable for the manufacture
of plastic container 10. Those having ordinary skill in the art
will readily know and understand plastic container manufacturing
method alternatives.
With reference now to FIG. 6, an upper portion 14' according to
additional teachings is shown. The upper portion 14' generally
defines a plurality of generally linear sidewalls 60 having linear
engagement surfaces 62 at the opening 42. Specifically, eight (8)
linear sidewalls 60 are defined around the opening 42. As a result,
a linear sidewall 60 is defined at about every 45 degrees around
the opening 42. It is appreciated that more or fewer linear
sidewalls 60 may be defined around the opening 42. The plurality of
linear sidewalls 60 allows a user to arbitrarily grasp the
container 10 with one hand and locate a linear engagement surface
62 in close proximity to a knife grasped by the other hand. The
knife may then be swiped or scraped along the identified linear
engagement surface 62 with little or no rotation of the container
10 in order to return the excess or unused portion of the commodity
back into the container 10.
While the above description constitutes the present disclosure, it
will be appreciated that the disclosure is susceptible to
modification, variation and change without departing from the
proper scope and fair meaning of the accompanying claims.
* * * * *